College Basketball: Alabama routs Villanova 77-55 for 2K Sports title

Villanova's JayVaughn Pinkston shoots over Alabama's Nick Jacobs (15) during the second half of their NCAA college basketball game in the final round of the 2K Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden, Friday, Nov. 16, 2012, in New York. Alabama beat Villanova, 77-55. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

NEW YORK — Trevor Releford scored 25 points and Alabama beat Villanova 77-55 on Friday night, running away in the second half to win the 2K Sports Classic benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project.

Rodney Cooper had 17 points and the Crimson Tide (4-0) broke it open with some sharp 3-point shooting. Alabama, which made only 22 of 61 attempts (36 percent) from long range in its first three games, went 9 for 15 beyond the arc (60 percent) against a Villanova team that had held opponents to 33 percent on 3s.

JayVaughn Pinkston had 17 points to lead the Wildcats (3-1) and was selected to the all-tournament team in his return home to New York. Freshman guard Ryan Arcidiacono scored 11 for Villanova, which shot a miserable 32 percent from the field.